I have never been more excited for Christmas than I am this year. Last year was rough for me, and needless to say, it kind of brought down the christmas cheer. But, this year, my heart is so full. Tonight I was able to enjoy our traditional Englert dinner of my mother's homemade lasagna before jetting off to church with my family. After church I went over to Camila's parents house to celebrate a traditional Columbian Christmas. The entire night centered around one main idea: being together. There was never a selfish though, never a greedy-gift grabbing thought. The night was about togetherness and that feeling is only going to continue. Tomorrow is CHRISTMAS day! It's also my beautiful mother's birthday and it's one more day of celebration. This year my heart is full of love for my family and joy for this incredible season. I am so blessed. Silent Night is my favorite hymn from our Christmas Church service. It is so beautiful and simple yet the words say all you need. So, tonight as I lay in bed and fall asleep to "A Christmas Story" on repeat, I won't forget why were celebrate this day, to celebrate Jesus. Merry Christmas everyone, I hope your day is merry and bright.

Last night was our annual Christmas cookie baking extravaganza. Traditional cookies in our household consist of my Grandma McKenzie's (my mom's gma) gingerbread cookies and my Grandma Grace's (my dads mom) german chocolate hearts. It's normally just my mom and I, but last night Camila joined us to learn how to make these Englert traditions.

YOU DESERVE THIS. My best friend, Whitney is graduating today. It breaks my heart that I can't be there to celebrate with her, but I will be celebrating her for the next month before she goes to Nursing School. 

My dearest Whitney, I could not be more proud of you. You have set your mind to do such amazing things and this is the culmination of it all. You deserve all the attention on you today. You did it babe, you graduated. I know I'm not there physically, but I am there mentally, cheering you on. Get ready to celebrate this weekend, next week and for the remainder of your time in Arizona. Get ready for your next big chapter. Smile big, don't trip and rock that hat with pride. CONGRATS Whit, I love you. 

- Michael Phelps

I cannot wait, thanks for the recommendation Lindsay!

I get to go home in 5 days and I am beyond thrilled. Yes, it comes with some bitter-sweetness like leaving all my girlfriends, my boyfriend, my cute apartment, and yes, the cold, but I am so excited to spend some much needed quality time with my family. I haven't gotten to spend time with them without the nagging need to do homework since August! It's going to be so nice to drink wine with my mom, rollerblade with my dad, go out with my brother and spend time with my sister. Tonight, I'm missing my sister, Erin. I don't get to talk to her on the phone, or have skype dates with her like everyone else but if I could, you can bet that is what I'd be doing right now. (check here for more details on Erin). I really miss her infectious laugh and huge smile. I miss the way she greets everyone who walks in as if she hasn't seen them in years. The hug I get from her Sunday afternoon is going to be the best part of my Christmas break. I get to go home, to my sister, in 5 days, and I'm thrilled.

I just love this quote... 


"Real life is a funny thing, you know, in real life saying the right thing at the right moment is beyond crucial.  So crucial in fact that most of us start to hesitate for fear of saying the wrong thing at the wrong time; but lately what I've begun to fear more than that is letting the moment pass without saying anything. I think you deserve to look back on your life without this chorus of resounding voices saying 'I could've but it's too late now'.  So there's a time for silence and there's a time for waiting your turn; but if you know how you feel and you so clearly know what you need to say you'll know it and I don't think you should wait, I think you should speak now."

I was reading some blogs this evening on my study break and sometimes it's as if complete strangers know exactly what to say at the right now. One of my new favorite blogs, Scenic Glory, just posted this the other day....
mo·ti·va·tion
1.  a. The act or process of motivating.
    b. The state of being motivated.
2. Something that motivates; an inducement or incentive.
It's the night before week two of finals. Everyone is gearing up for the harder of the two weeks, the 5-hour energy shots are being pounded, copious amounts of diet coke and starbucks lattes are being consumed and people are gearing up for what could be a pretty rough week. But this weekend was a good one. It snowed on Saturday and as everyone here knows, I just love it. All the midwest natives keep telling me I'm crazy, they tell me I'll be 'taking back those words' come February.... But, I'm not sure if that's true. Sure, its freeeeezzing cold, its scary to drive in and it makes getting back and forth from West Omaha to downtown kind of dicey, but there's something about that snow that is so refreshing. It's clean, and its white and when it's coming down, it is so beautiful. And before it gets driven on and becomes slushy, the whole town is this perfect blanket of white, pure snow. It's a fresh start. It puts me right in the christmas mood and it's a little beauty in the midst of the chaos of finals. So, yes it's irritating and messy, but  I'm pretty sure its God's way of giving us all a fresh start, prepping us for tomorrow. So, enjoy it, throw a snowball, and pretty soon we'll all be making snowmen and snow-angels. Good luck to everyone who's currently taking finals or is about to start... we're almost there, and I promise, it's going to be worth it.